In July and August, the Austin Grown youth sustainability leadership cohort spent 6 weeks planting fruits & veggies and caring for them and for 9 chickens! We also learned about the environment and all of its intersections—most especially racial and social justice—through speakers, chefs and field trips. In lieu of live planting at BUILD Chicago’s Iris Farm (which was under construction), we planted at Michelle Clark Academy High School’s gardens. We discussed the health of our Earth and our bodies and our communities. We cooked and ate healthy plant-based food. We also created a recipe book, which is a collection of recipes our visiting chefs cooked with us; we can continue cooking these delicious meals and teach them to others.